Hello! In this post, I’d like to share a summary of the AWSKRUG (AWS Korea User Group) community activities I’ve participated in throughout 2024.
AWSKRUG has always been a source of motivation and positive energy for me, providing valuable opportunities to connect with global developers.
I also took the stage as a keynote speaker to inspire others to actively participate in community activities and to encourage stepping beyond local boundaries into the global stage.
Additionally, I took part in various events as a booth staff member, promoting AWS communities and AWSKRUG to a wider audience.
Let’s dive into the key activities I was involved in this year!
Key Activities
Organized 12 AWSKRUG Meetups
This year, I hosted a total of 12 AWSKRUG meetups, covering the following themes:
Guro Digital Complex (#gudi) - 3 events
- The Guro Digital Complex sub-group has been active since 2017, providing a casual environment for people working or living nearby to network.
- Due to challenges in finding large venues, we opted for small, cozy gatherings at my office space, which helped create an intimate and engaging atmosphere.
Game Tech (#gametech) - 3 events
- The Game Tech sub-group focuses on AWS gaming and game technology topics and is hosted at the AWS Korea office.
- Co-managed with the AWS gaming team, we occasionally feature technical sessions led by AWS experts.
Frontend (#frontend) - 6 events
- The Frontend sub-group, a spin-off initiative, covers all topics related to frontend technology.
- This group maintains a well-balanced gender ratio among participants and attracts younger audiences, leading to enthusiastic Q&A sessions and an influx of volunteer speakers.
- Thanks to the synergy between the energetic participants and supportive organizers, these events regularly draw 50-60 attendees.
As a host, I worked to create a welcoming atmosphere for first-time participants and supported new organizers in their roles. Beyond presentations, we incorporated discussions to allow attendees to dive deeper into specific topics.
I also experimented with scheduling snack breaks at different times (beginning, middle, or end) to optimize networking opportunities. While the perfect solution remains elusive, hosting snack breaks in the middle or end proved more effective than at the start, as attendees were often more comfortable after warming up to the environment.
May - AWS Summit Seoul
In May, I supported the AWS Summit Seoul as a booth staff member, introducing AWSKRUG to first-time attendees. It was a rewarding experience, showcasing the community’s activities and fostering interest and participation.
July - AWS Heroes Summit
In July, I attended the AWS Heroes Summit in Seattle as an invitee of the AWS Hero community program.
With courage, I engaged with AWS Heroes from around the world, exchanging ideas about how meetups are organized in different countries.
One key takeaway was the realization that Korean attendees could benefit greatly from more proactive networking, which inspired me to explore potential collaborations between Korean user groups and global meetup organizers.
September - Keynote at AUSGCON
On September 21, I delivered a keynote speech at AUSGCON, hosted by the AWS University Student Group (AUSG).
During my talk, I highlighted the boundless possibilities of community activities and encouraged active participation, advocating for stepping onto the global stage.
This event offered an inspiring opportunity to motivate students and make community involvement more approachable.
October - KWDC24 Community Partner Staff
On October 25, AWSKRUG participated as a community partner at KWDC24, Korea’s largest Apple ecosystem conference, held at Sejong University.
It was delightful to meet past AWSKRUG participants who joined the conference as speakers and reconnect with familiar faces from the Seoul iOS meetup community.
With a significant number of international attendees at this conference, I had the chance to introduce AWSKRUG to a global audience, answering their questions about AWS iOS SDKs and EC2 Mac instances. We also distributed custom KWDC-themed stickers.
November - Community Day Booth Staff
In November, I supported the Community Day event as a booth staff member, assisting attendees and promoting AWSKRUG activities.
During the event, I unexpectedly won the typing speed challenge, setting record-breaking scores, much to the amazement of other participants. It was both an amusing and memorable moment!
Additionally, the day coincided with the 10th anniversary of Channy Yun’s tenure at AWS. Before the afterparty, the Community Day staff surprised him with a celebratory cake, creating a heartwarming and joyful moment for everyone.
Future Plans and Goals
re:Invent 2024
I’ll be attending AWS re:Invent in Las Vegas, participating in numerous sessions and community events. Having been deeply impressed by last year’s scale and opportunities to connect globally, I’m eager to return this year.
Excitingly, I’ll be volunteering at the Community Developer Lounge on Tuesday from 2 PM to 3 PM. I plan to bring a variety of AWSKRUG stickers, so be sure to stop by!
AWSKRUG End-of-Year Gathering (December 27)
AWSKRUG meetup organizers will come together for an end-of-year party on December 27 to reflect on this year’s achievements and plan for the future.
I hope to promote collaboration with global communities while ensuring that our activities remain manageable alongside everyone’s professional commitments.
Closing Thoughts
2024 reaffirmed the joy and energy that community activities bring me. The inspiration I’ve gained from AWS Global Communities and AWSKRUG motivates me to continue improving and contributing to these initiatives.
I’d also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the AWS community program coordinators. Your support has enriched our community activities tremendously.
Thank you!
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